hayseed

American  

[hey-seed] / ˈheɪˌsid /

noun

1. grass seed, especially that shaken out of hay.

2. small bits of the chaff, straw, etc., of hay.

3. an unsophisticated person from a rural area; yokel; hick.

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hayseed British  

/ ˈheɪˌsiːd /

noun

1. seeds or fragments of grass or straw

2. informal a yokel

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Etymology

Origin of hayseed

First recorded in 1570–80; hay + seed

Explanation

A hayseed is an unintelligent country person, or a hick. You might be tempted to call your farmer cousin a hayseed, but your cousin would probably be upset. The derogatory term hayseed is aimed at rural folks who aren't particularly urbane or savvy — it's a stereotype of someone who's comfortable in the country being awkward, bumbling, and unsophisticated, especially when visiting a city. This U.S. slang comes from the common 19th century saying that country people "have hayseed in their hair."

Example Sentences

Old meaning of hick: hayseed, rube, ill-educated person.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

As explained in the film, Marx saw an appealing contradiction in Cavett, the Yale-educated Nebraskan, the erudite hayseed.

From New York Times • Dec. 22, 2022

I, on the other hand, remain a philistine and a hayseed.

From Washington Post • Dec. 15, 2022

At the height of The Apprentice’s popularity, Megan Mullally found herself performing the Green Acres theme tune alongside Trump – clad in full hayseed outfit – as part of an excruciatingly protracted Emmys bit.

From The Guardian • Aug. 12, 2019

Lawrence was also, in Cooksey’s eyes, still very much a hayseed.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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